The Anonymous Widower

Busiest UK Airports Raise Kiss-and-Fly Fees, Says RAC

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.

This is the sub-heading.

More than half of Britain’s busiest airports have raised “kiss-and-fly” fees for cars dropping off passengers close to terminals, according to research from the RAC.

These two paragraphs add details.

The motoring group found 11 out of 20 UK airports had put up prices since last July, with Gatwick, Bristol, Leeds Bradford and Southampton joining Stansted in charging the top rate of £7 to park for a matter of minutes.

In contrast, at nine of the 10 busiest airports in the European Union there are no drop-off fees.

I don’t drive and these days I can’t walk very far, but I travel around the UK and Europe without any difficulty.

Here are a few tips.

Use James Cameron’s Packing Method

James Cameron was one of BBC’s most famous and much-travelled journalists and his life is documented in this Wikipedia entry.

The Wikipedia entry says nothing about his packing method, which my late wife and myself used after hearing him describe it in one of his excellent documentaries.

Sort everything you think you’ll need into two piles. Each pile contains half the shirts, trousers, swimwear, underwear etc. that you think you’ll need.

Pack each pile in a separate case and leave one case behind.

As to money he said, work out the most you’ll need and double it. These days with credit cards, that is probably not so relevant.

Choose An Airport With Good Step-Free Public Transport

I’m lucky in London, in that I can get a bus within a hundred metres of my house, that takes me to Moorgate, Bank or London Bridge stations, which give me direct access to City, Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, Southend or Stansted Airports.

Step-free access to some airports in the UK is abysmal.

Use A Train From A Station With a Properly Designed Drop-Off Area

These pictures show the taxi rank and drop off area at Leicester station.

The building would appear to have a Grade II Listed taxi rank and free twenty-minute car park.

How many other stations have well-designed facilities like these?

According to this article on the BBC, Preston station has an innovative solution.

If you spot any others, let me know!

Service Your Car Near The Airport

For three or so years, we had a car, where there was a main dealer a couple of stops on the Piccadilly Line from Heathrow.

So we dropped the car in, walked a short distance to the Underground and started our holiday with a tube ride.

It just needs a bit of research.

I don’t drive anymore after a stroke, but if I did, my car would be serviced by a garage, I could get to on public transport.

July 21, 2025 - Posted by AnonW | Design, Transport/Travel | Airports, Heathrow Airport, Leicester Station, Parking, Stations, Step-Free, Taxis